May 17, 2010- Social Housing in Northeaster New Brunswick Being Renovated

MIRAMICHI, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - May 17, 2010) - The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick today announced that 393 social housing units will receive $2.84 million for repairs and renovations. The funding was made available through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $75M under the amended Canada-New Brunswick Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.Renovations include exterior retrofits, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation, fire safety, energy improvements and site works. Tilly O'Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable John Foran, New Brunswick Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, on behalf of the Honourable Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Housing, made the announcement today."In its second year, our Government's Economic Action Plan is stimulating the economy and creating jobs during the global recession here in New Brunswick and across Canada," said MP O'Neill-Gordon. "Renovation projects like these are a good way to get the local economy moving and put construction workers and tradespeople to work quickly. Most importantly, they are giving a hand-up to those who need it most, by improving the quality of social housing.""We are pleased to work together to provide affordable and safe accommodations for low-income seniors, families and to those who have accessibility needs in northeastern New Brunswick," Foran said. "Affordable housing is a key component of Overcoming Poverty Together: The New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Plan to ensure New Brunswickers have a quality, energy efficient place to call home."Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless.More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca. To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.